Wilms' Tumor

Diagnosis

Parents often find the tumor as a lump in the child's abdomen during a bath or a routine visit to the doctor. Pediatric oncologists use several tests to identify Wilms' tumor and determine how far it has progressed. In addition to a physical examination, family history and results from urine and blood tests, physicians at Mayo Clinic may order the following tests:

• Computed tomography (CT) creates a computer-generated two-dimensional image of the kidney and surrounding tissue that includes greater detail than standard X-rays.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field to generate cross-sectional pictures of the body.
• Ultrasound uses a wandlike device (transducer) to send and receive high-frequency sound waves that can be translated into images of internal organs.

If physicians at Mayo Clinic find a Wilms' tumor, they will want to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Additional blood tests, a liver ultrasound or MRI, a chest CT scan or other tests may be performed. Doctors will also want to determine the health status of the other kidney.